A toast to courage in the times of silenced voices

Dear Friends, 

In a time when voices of dissent are increasingly silenced—journalists murdered, comedians attacked—few stand as tall as Kunal Kamra. Kamra has turned satire into an act of bravery. His jokes are more than clever quips; they are a principled stand against tyranny, a defense of free expression, and a beacon in an environment where speaking truth to power comes at a price.

In India today, comedians aren’t just attacked—they are silenced with bulldozers, alongside all dissenting voices. Speaking truth comes at a price: livelihoods destroyed at the very least, and lives sacrificed at worst. It is a battle harder than defending borders, for the enemy is not only unknown but also embedded within.

Few embody the courage to resist this silencing as strongly as Kunal Kamra. With his brand of dark skeleton humor—humor with a spine—Kamra wields satire as a shield for freedom of expression and a weapon against tyranny. His jokes may entertain, but they also cut to the core of systemic oppression, delivered in an era when laughter itself has become an act of defiance.

The narrative I’ve shared below draws inspiration from his bravery and the absurdities of our time. For those willing to see the humor that reveals truths, this piece might resonate. For others, it may provoke thought—and perhaps, unease. Both are worth engaging with.

I too went back in time to join Kunal Kamra at the railway station. The chai-walla adjusted his shorts, stitched from newspapers owned by some Mota Bhai, with the words 'Only Kamal' clearly printed on the waistline. At the Counter, Prayerappan bowed his head in a quick prayer before picking up his wooden hammer to take my order. 'Maska Bun!' he shouted. The assistant Chotu was playing with a rolled-up piece of paper in one hand, as if it were a telescope. He handed me only a paper cutout instead of the bun I had ordered. One side of the paper was an ad for the movie Deewar. One another, a news headline "Elephants of Guwahati saved from the bandit Veerappan". I was confused because there was no bun. A bemused Kunal Kamra pointed towards the chai-walla’s shorts. Written across the flap were the words “Mass Sterilization.”  Kamra raised his glass of bad tea in a mock toast. 'No butter here—only maskari'.

 

As Kamra raises his glass of bad tea in a mock toast to maskari (joking), let us pause and reflect on the courage it takes to wield humor as a weapon against oppression.

Warm Regards,

Saurabh

Appendix: For the younger generation who may not be familiar with iconic cultural references to the 1970's here is a brief introduction.

 

Deewar and Sholay: These iconic films from the 1970s not only entertained but reflected the socio-political tensions of the time. Deewar is remembered for its gripping narrative of family, sacrifice, and rebellion, while Sholay—often hailed as one of India’s greatest films—explored themes of camaraderie and justice, set against a backdrop of lawlessness. Both were cultural phenomena and offered commentary on morality, power, and resilience.

Indira Gandhi's Leadership: As India’s Prime Minister during one of its most turbulent times, Indira Gandhi played a pivotal role in defending the nation both externally and internally. Her bold decisions shaped India’s response to crises such as the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, and she is remembered as a leader of significant ambition and controversy. The controversies include population control measures of mass sterilization, distribution of national wealth by cutting the purses of Kings and Royalty, nationalization of banks to ensure the nationwide presence of State Banks. She took on the obscenely rich for the sake of national progress and imposed Emergency to hold accountable the anti-national enemies within the borders. 

Veerappan: A notorious bandit who operated across Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, Veerappan’s name became synonymous with fear and lawlessness. His activities, particularly poaching elephants for ivory, challenged law enforcement and exposed vulnerabilities in governance, becoming a symbol of unchecked criminality.

Only Vimal: was a famous advertising slogan associated with Reliance Textiles, promoting its Vimal brand during the late 20th century. Reliance promoted itself as a symbol of hope for the middle classes to get out of widespread poverty in that era. Indira Gandhi too had coined the slogan Gareebi Hatao but Reliance's focus on sharing shareholder wealth resonated with the middle class as an actionable path out of the poverty trap.

Mota Bhai: In Gujarati, Mota Bhai literally translates to "elder brother," with Mota meaning "big" and Bhai meaning "brother." It is often used as a term of respect or endearment for someone regarded as an elder, a guide, or a figure of authority. In broader Indian culture, the term has taken on a colloquial connotation to refer to someone with significant influence, power, or wealth—especially in a business or political context. In contemporary usage, Mota Bhai sometimes carries an undertone of irony or satire, particularly when referring to individuals or entities wielding disproportionate control or influence.